#Microsoft
30 article(s)
Game Pass August 2026: Gears of War E-Day Beta Takes Center Stage
Xbox Game Pass's August 2026 lineup is headlined by the Gears of War: E-Day beta. But the timing is rocky: Xbox Series console prices just jumped in France, forcing a hard question about whether the subscription still delivers the value proposition it promises to gamers hesitant about hardware investment. Here's what this month really amounts to.
Halo Campaign Evolved Hits Game Pass: Here's What Changes
The new Halo game joins the Game Pass catalog in July 2026 alongside fifteen other titles announced by Microsoft. This isn't a trivial addition: every Halo franchise entry on Xbox Game Pass redefines access to a series that remains the benchmark for console shooters. The stakes go beyond the catalog itself — it's about perceived value of Game Pass at a moment when Microsoft is fundamentally restructuring its gaming division.
Halo 4 Nearly Got Microtransactions Back in 2012
Dan Callan, former developer at 343 Industries, just revealed that Halo 4 came close to integrating microtransactions at a time when the model was beginning to infect gaming. A confession that says a lot about the internal pressures development teams face from decisions handed down from above — and what Microsoft could have done to one of its flagship franchises.
Halo: Campaign Evolved, the remake that's reshaping everything
Halo: Campaign Evolved is the announced remake of Bungie's foundational FPS, the game that set the template for an entire generation of console shooters. This isn't just another HD remaster—the stated ambition reaches into story, gameplay, and technical architecture. For a franchise struggling to catch its breath since Infinite, the stakes go far beyond nostalgia.
Halo Combat Evolved PS5: Local Co-op Restored Before Launch
Microsoft made a baffling decision for the PS5 port of Halo Combat Evolved: removing local co-op, a cornerstone of the original game since 2001. Under player pressure, the company reversed course. The feature will be present at launch, expected in just over a month. This reversal says something about how Microsoft is approaching Halo's arrival on a rival platform.
Halo on PS5: No PS Plus needed, but Microsoft demands Xbox account
The correction is official: playing Halo Campaign Evolved co-op locally on PS5 doesn't require a PlayStation Plus subscription. Good news on the surface. But Microsoft slipped a condition into the fine print: an Xbox account and Gamertag will be required for each player. It's not a paid subscription, but it's an integration friction that Sony never imposes on its own games. The stakes go beyond the technical: it's PlayStation's sovereignty over its own experience that's in question.
Xbox Is Dismantling Its Studios: A Strategic Reckoning with Few Good Signs
Compulsion Games, Double Fine, Ninja Theory, Arkane Lyon: rumors of closures and massive restructuring at Xbox have accumulated major names for weeks now. This is no longer a series of isolated industrial accidents—it's a deliberate strategic choice taking shape. Microsoft appears to be concentrating resources on a handful of colossal franchises at the expense of creative diversity it purchased at premium prices. The human and artistic toll could prove lasting.
Halo Campaign Evolved: A Reassuring Grip on a Remake That's Found Its Way Back
Two missions played in advance, and already the impression that Halo Studios understood what Infinite missed. The Silent Cartographer and the control room command regain their original tension in a remake that goes far beyond a fresh coat of paint. The question is no longer whether Halo can return — it's already happening. What remains is verifying that the promise holds up over time, because a few hours don't make a full review.
Xbox Helix vs PS6: Is Microsoft Really Gearing Up for an Exclusivity War?
For months, Microsoft has thrown open the gates of its first-party portfolio to PS5—Halo, Forza Horizon, and more. Now the wind seems to be shifting. Asha Sharma recently acknowledged player demands for a return to Xbox exclusives, and the Xbox Helix is shaping up as a strategic pivot. A 180-degree turn that could reshape the competitive landscape against Sony's PS6.
Halo Campaign Evolved: New Gameplay Trailer Captured on PS5 Pro
Following the exclusive prologue revealed at Xbox Games Showcase, Microsoft and Halo Studios have released a second trailer for Halo: Campaign Evolved, blending cinematics with gameplay footage. Notable detail: the footage was captured on PS5 Pro, a clear signal of genuine commitment to Sony's platform. This move confirms that the flagship Xbox franchise's return is now playing on every front.
Xbox Games Showcase: This Bioshock-Inspired FPS is Also Coming to PS5 and PC
Among the major Microsoft exclusives announced at Xbox Games Showcase, an FPS with striking art direction made an unexpected splash: the game will be available on PS5 and PC, in addition to Xbox. Its atmosphere is strongly reminiscent of Bioshock, with a visual style that clearly made an impression. An announcement that shifts the multi-platform landscape somewhat.
Halo: Campaign Evolved Lands July 28 as Xbox Replays Combat Evolved
Xbox Games Showcase 2026 finally gave Halo: Campaign Evolved concrete details: a July 28 launch, early access from July 23, Xbox, PC, Game Pass, Steam and PlayStation availability, plus three new missions under Operation: METEORITE. It is good news for Halo fans, but not yet a free pass for Halo Studios.